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NeWS

New developments in the Aerospace & Defence industry

Modernising head-up displays for united arab Emirates F-16 fleet

BAE Systems has been selected by Lockheed Martin to modernise head-up displays (HUD) on F-16 aircraft for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Armed Forces, replacing the fleet’s analogue system with advanced digital technology. The HUD, which sits directly in a pilot’s line of sight, is a see-through display that presents real-time, flight-critical information without obstructing his or her view of the outside world.

BAE Systems will use its cutting-edge Digital Light Engine (DLE) technology to implement a HUD upgrade that integrates seamlessly into the F-16’s existing HUD space, requiring no changes to the aircraft, cabling, or computing. The advancement will remove the outdated cathode ray tube image source and replace it with a digital projector.

“To the naked eye, the pilot sees no difference in performance when our DLE HUD is installed. It retains the existing optics, video camera, and control panel,” said Andy Humphries, director of Advanced Displays at BAE Systems. “The real difference is the significant cost savings our customer will experience over the product’s life cycle as a result of reduced maintenance and spares requirements.” Visit: www.baesystems.com/dlehud

More airbus helicopters for japan

Airbus Helicopters’ business in Japan posted two new orders and two new deliveries at the start of the year, reaffirming the company’s strong presence in the country. Currently leading the Japanese civil and parapublic helicopter market with more than 50% market share, Airbus Helicopters plans to increase its position in tandem with the Japan’s projected fleet growth of 2% annually over the next 20 years.

The first contract was signed with longstanding customer Excel Air Services, for a Helionixequipped H135 helicopter. This new aircraft will join the operator’s growing Airbus fleet currently comprising an AS355N, AS350B2, AS350B3 and Hermès-designed H135. This best-seller light-twin helicopter will be dedicated for electronic news gathering missions.

The second contract was signed with a new customer, the Hokkaido Government, which placed an order for one AS365N3+ helicopter from the Dauphin family. The helicopter will be dedicated to rescue missions and supporting activities in the Prefecture and will play an important role in the North of Japan, known for its extensive fields and harsh winter conditions. Visit: www.airbus.com/helicopters.com

ATR sees further growth potential in Asia Pacific

ATR, the world’s leading manufacturer of turboprop aircraft, anticipates a demand for some 750 turboprops within the next two decades in the Asia Pacific region (excluding China).

Asia Pacific is ATR’s largest market globally, accounting for over one third of the global fleet. As of today, there are nearly 1200 ATRs around the world, of which some 420 are in Asia Pacific. The region ranks first in terms of number of ATRs in operation. Of the top ten countries in the world, in terms of ATR fleet size, four are in the Asia Pacific region.

“Asia Pacific is a fast-developing region of the world with strong economies, but there is a real need for greater air connectivity in the region to further drive economic growth,” says ATR CEO Christian Scherer. “Many cities and towns in Asia Pacific need more air services and there are many places that still have no or very few air services. ATR are the best aircraft for developing new air routes and new markets. In 2017, our aircraft created 70 new routes in Asia Pacific alone, thus bringing regional connectivity to new places and expanding business opportunities for regional carriers.” Visit: www.atr-aircraft.com

Nasmyth Group to supply a Satellite Communications Module transport container to Airbus

Nasmyth Group, a global precision engineering company, will manufacture the Spacecraft Transport Container for eurostar Neo, which is one of the two new satellite product lines of the european Space Agency’s Next Generation Platform, NeoSAT. The Spacecraft Transport Container will house the crucial ‘clean room’, enabling its safe transportation by road, rail, sea or air – whichever is deemed applicable. The Container has self-generation and air conditioning with full external/internal monitoring system in place.

The container will be supplied with two removable transfer trollies which will allow the spacecraft to be rotated 360 degrees and is capable of powered movement from both horizontal and vertical planes. This will be supplied with all test and operating equipment.

The NeoSAT programme aims to support Airbus Defence and Space in providing a commercially attractive platform in the mid-range and high-end telecommunication satellite segments. Visit: www.nasmythgroup.com

INDUSTRYNEWS

Mtu Maintenance starts virtual reality pilot project

MTU Maintenance, one of the world’s leading providers of services for commercial aero engines, has started an augmented reality pilot project at its facility in Berlin-Brandenburg. The project goes by the name ‘Inspection 4.0’ and aims to improve knowledge management in the shop.

Inspection 4.0 has two main goals. The first is to centralise all data regarding a specific part into one system. This has the benefit of reducing the amount of time mechanics spent switching between documents and enabling them to focus on inspecting the part in question. Secondly, the real and virtual world of maintenance will merge – data will be transferred to tablets or smart glasses so that the mechanic has a complete overview at all times. Visit: www.mtu.de

GKN Aerospace transponders modification for the Airbus A320 family

GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business has obtained the Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) from EASA for the introduction of the ADS-B Out modification on the Airbus A320 fleet. Last year Fokker was selected by SmartLynx, Latvia for the ADS-B Out installation on its A320 fleet.

After having obtained the STC’s for the Bombardier Dash 8 aircraft last year, Fokker is now introducing upgrades or new ATC Transponders for the Airbus A320. New Transponders are a form-fit replacement for legacy Transponders which need to be replaced. In the meantime, Fokker has also applied for the FAA STC, which is expected within a few months.

ADS-B Out (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) is a common system onboard many aircraft that automatically broadcasts relevant data from the aircraft towards air traffic management organisations. ADS-B Out data includes the identity of the aircraft, the GPS location and direction of flight. Visit: www.gkn.com

Dassault CEo Éric Trappier to be chairman of CIDEF

Éric Trappier, chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, president and chairman of the board of the European Aerospace and Defence Industries Association (ASD) and president of the French Aerospace Industries Association (GIFAS – Groupement des Industries Françaises Aéronautiques et Spatiales), was appointed chairman of the Council of French Defense Industries (CIDEF – Conseil des Industries de Défense Françaises).

“I am honoured and proud to have been appointed chairman of CIDEF,” stated Éric Trappier. “CIDEF’s priority will be to support the influence and development, in France and abroad, of a highperformance and competitive defence industry by highlighting the offer and expertise of all French companies, both small and large, which constitute the industrial and technological defence base, so that they can contribute to providing our armed forces with the means necessary to ensure the sovereign defence of our country.” Visit: www.dassault-aviation.com

Bombardier selected for new Airbus nacelle programme

Bombardier Aerostructures and engineering Services has been selected by Airbus as a supplier on a new engine nacelle programme for the Pratt & Whitney powered A320neo family of aircraft.

Bombardier’s Northern Ireland operations (Short Brothers plc) has been chosen to develop and manufacture a new thrust reverser to enable Airbus to offer a new, innovative nacelle and its aftermarket support for Pratt & Whitney’s Pure Power PW1100G engine.

Stephen Addis, vice-president, Customer Services and Programmes, Bombardier Aerostructures and engineering Services, said: “We are delighted to have been selected as a supplier on this new nacelle, which will enable us to build on the relationship we already have with Airbus. This work package reinforces our long-term strategy to grow our capabilities in the nacelles market and to focus on delivering innovative, higher value products and services in an extremely competitive global environment.” Visit: www.bombardier.com